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MTA Military Discounts

Active duty riders pay the off-peak fare on every LIRR and Metro-North train and skip the onboard surcharge with valid ID, the everyday MTA military discount explained below.
Discounts: 1
Eligibility: Active Duty
Last Updated: October 2026

All MTA Military Discounts

We track all MTA military discounts so service men and women never miss a chance to save.

MTA Military Discount: Off-Peak Fares on LIRR and Metro-North

Off-Peak Fares on Peak Trains
VALID FOR
Off-peak fare pricing on all LIRR trains, Off-peak fare pricing on all Metro-North trains, Onboard ticket purchase with no surcharge
WHERE
In-Store
VERIFICATION
Military ID
AVAILABILITY
Year-Round
Active Duty

About MTA Military Discounts

The MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) runs New York's subway, buses, and the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad commuter lines serving Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and Connecticut. The MTA military discount applies on the commuter railroads: active-duty U.S. service members are charged the off-peak fare on LIRR and Metro-North, even when riding peak trains, which cuts the cost of rush-hour travel. Active-duty riders can also buy tickets onboard from the conductor without the usual onboard surcharge. A valid active-duty ID from the U.S. Armed Forces is required. This policy is permanent and applies system-wide on both railroads, but it does not extend to subway or bus fares, and MTA does not publish a fare discount for veterans or retirees.
Category
Travel & Lodging
Total Discounts
1

MTA Military Discount FAQ

Common questions about MTA military discounts

Yes, on its commuter railroads. Active-duty U.S. military personnel pay the off-peak fare on LIRR and Metro-North trains, including on peak trains.

MTA's published policy covers active-duty personnel only. Veterans are not named; confirm with MTA directly for any current veteran programs.

No. The published military fare benefit applies to LIRR and Metro-North commuter rail, not subway or bus fares.

Buy an off-peak ticket and carry your valid active-duty U.S. Armed Forces ID. You can also purchase onboard from a conductor without the surcharge.

Yes, active duty service members can buy their ticket from the conductor onboard LIRR or Metro-North trains without paying the usual onboard purchase surcharge. Show your active-duty Armed Forces ID when asked. This is one of the two published parts of the MTA military discount, alongside paying the off-peak fare on peak trains.

The MTA military discount applies system-wide on both commuter railroads, the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North, including Metro-North lines serving the Hudson Valley and Connecticut. On either railroad, active duty riders pay the off-peak fare even on peak trains. It does not extend to subway or bus fares, which are priced normally.

The MTA policy is written for active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces who carry a valid active-duty ID, and spouses and dependents are not covered by the published fare. Family members traveling with a service member pay the regular fare for their trip. The policy also excludes veterans and retirees, so it is narrowly focused.
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